Jan 5: The year 2021 has brought about some exciting cricket throughout the year. We got to watch some stellar performances in the seventh installment of the T20 World Cup, which was held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
In an enthralling encounter, Australia managed to pip out New Zealand to win the final by eight wickets.
Test cricket is in full swing, and the Ashes are back too, this year. Australia has already gone two upon England in the first two matches as they look to finish off the year on a high.
We got to see a new record set as the third bowler in test match history, New Zealand's Ajaz Patel, to take all ten wickets in an innings. His feat was slightly overshadowed by the Kiwis 372 run loss to India in that match, but an incredible feat nonetheless.
Cricket To The End
The year has not ended yet, and the same goes for the cricket action. Boxing day tests are back, with the Aussies and England starting the third test on the 26th and India beginning their tour of South Africa with the first test match starting on the 26th.
Ireland is currently touring the Americas and has two T20 matches against the USA. After this, they will play three ODIs, of which the last one will be played on the 30th of December.
Fancy a coin toss, and want to bet on the matches? This has been made easier as there is an online cricket betting app and site - 10CRIC to help you get through the host of games now and into the new year.
Photo by Ajay Parthasarathy on Unsplash
Where Are The Bails Falling In The New Year?
Right off the bat, 2022 has excited many cricket fans if 2021 is anything to go by. There are two T20 World Cups scheduled for next year and more international cricket throughout the year.
Here are some of the cricket events to look forward to:
The Ashes
Considering England's already unflattering performances in the first two tests of the five-test series, if the Three Lions manage to win the third test, then there is all to play for in the new year.
The Ashes is one of the most fiercely contested test series in cricket history and is held once every two years, and the hosting of the series is rotated between England and Australia. Of the 71 previous Ashes series, six have ended in a draw, England has won 32 and Australia edge on top, having won 33 times.
The last Ashes series ended in a two-all-drawn, which meant Australia retained the Ashes.
The fourth test starts on the 5th of January at the SCG in Sydney, and the fifth and last test will be contested from the 14th of January at the WACA in Perth.
The Aussie and England women's Ashes series has also been scheduled for next year, starting with a one-off test match on the 27th of January. They will then play three T20s from the 4th to the 10th of February and round up the Ashes with a one-off ODI match on the 13th of February. All the games will be played in Australia.
India's Tour Of South Africa
A hotly contested test series awaits India when they begin their three-test series tour of South Africa. The first test will be played on the 26th of December at the SuperSport Park Cricket Ground in Centurion.
India has failed to win a test series in South Africa, with the closest to success being the MS Dhoni-led side that pulled off a one-all draw in the 2010/2011 series. Virat Kohli will be hoping to be the first Indian captain to achieve what seems to be an insurmountable task of winning in South Africa.
The Indians on a high after their one-nil series win over New Zealand will be hoping the internal struggles that Cricket South Africa have will aid them in their quest. Still, you cannot count the Proteas out as they always seem to find that little extra at home to India.
The second and third tests will be played on the 5th of January at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg and on the 11th of January at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Capetown.
Following this are three ODIs that will be played on the 19th, 21st and 23rd of January.
World Cup Action
2022 will see fast-paced cricket action in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's World Cup and Men's T20 World Cup tournaments set to begin in March and October, respectively.
ICC Women's World Cup: The twelfth edition of the Women's World Cup will be contested over 31 matches in New Zealand, with the first match being played on the 4th of March 2022, and the final will be played on the 3rd of April in Christchurch.
The 50 overs version of the game will see eight women's teams, India, New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, Bangladesh, South Africa, Pakistan and England, the current champions, battle it out for the cup.
Men's T20 World Cup: We are spoiled to have two T20 World Cup tournaments in quick succession as the last one was played and won by Australia this year.
Next year's tournament will be held in Australia, with the first match being played on the 18th of October, and the final will be played on the 13th of November at the MCG in Melbourne.
The tournament will be played over 45 games. There are six spots left that will be contested in the two Qualifier groups that will be decided in February, offering up more cricket action as we gear up for the finals.
Photo by Mudassir Ali on Unsplash
Indian Premier League
Arguably the most-watched cricket tournament in the world, the Indian Premier League (IPL) returns for the 15th season in 2022. The contest is sure to produce some hard-hitting and fast-paced cricket which hosts players from all over the world in the eight franchise teams from all over India.
The official start date has yet to be set, but the tournament will start either late March or in the first week of April. IPL teams have already begun preparing for next year's IPL, with the player auction having just been concluded.
The IPL board is also still yet to decide the tournament's venue. The current chatter is that Chennai will host the event, and playing on home ground will be an advantage for the Chennai Super Kings to retain their title and try to bag a fifth title.
At Stumps
2022 is billed up to be another fantastic year of cricket, with the two World Cup tournaments taking place with two different formats of the game. There are also a host of tours between the higher-ranked members of the ICC and the associate members who will be trying to get more game time and earn their way to the top.